Teach the Sound Words of Christ

Faith in Action

Self-controlled, Upright and Godly Faith

The Good Fight of Faith

1 Timothy 6:2-8 The Message

6 1-2 Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don’t blame God and our teaching for his behavior. Slaves with Christian masters all the more so—their masters are really their beloved brothers!

The Lust for Money

2-5 These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually, there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
6-8 A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.

For Reflection

The first two verses deserve a chapter of their own.  Suffice it to say, however, slavery was common. Christian slave masters and slaves faced some serious decisions.  Master and slave were considered equal in their Christianity.  There was then and is now no distinction before God. But, civility was to be maintained so that injustices would be eliminated. In this first century culture, the master was to serve the slave and the slave to serve the Master. The justice of this system was, of course, challenged and slavery is not acceptable in twenty-first-century culture.

The unique knowledge that a Christian possesses is a spiritual gift that encourages the Christian to pursue righteousness. This knowledge does not provide one with any particular privileges. The authentic Christian is so extremely rich in spirit that he or she rests in the peace and joy that only obedience to the Word can provide.  Anyone who claims other prosperities are false teachers. 

Pray

Pray so that you can pursue a righteous life in the hollow of God's hand. Pray for humility.  Pray for those whose lives are uninformed or misinformed by false teachers of the Word.